Richmond

Richmond, port city, Contra Costa county, western California, U.S. It lies on the northeastern shore of San Francisco Bay and is connected to Marin county by the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge (1956), 16 miles (26 km) northeast of San Francisco. The site of ancient Ohlone Indian shell mounds, it became part of Rancho San Pablo, settled by Francisco Castro in 1823. Ferry service was established to San Francisco in 1900 when Point Richmond became the western terminus of the Santa Fe Railway. The city was home to a large winery in the early 1900s until Prohibition forced its closure. Deepwater harbour facilities encouraged development as an oil-refining centre, and World War II-era naval construction at the Kaiser shipyards, which produced more than 750 warships, greatly stimulated growth. The contribution of women to industrial labour in World War II is commemorated in the Rosie the Riveter Memorial (completed 2000), sited in Marina Bay Park on the grounds of former shipyards that are now part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park (established 2000). Diversified manufactures include petroleum, chemicals, biotechnology, auto parts, and aerospace components. Point Molate was a U.S. naval fuel depot centre until it was decommissioned in 1995. Recreational sites in the area include Miller Knox Regional Shoreline, Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve, and Point Pinole Regional Park. Inc. 1905. Pop. (2000) 99,216; (2010) 103,701.

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